1/11/08 Ashlands of the US, Doug Wilder to Visit, 30th Annual RR Run, Hanover Idols Deadline

I hope you’ve all had a chance to visit the website dedicated to Ashland 150th Birthday- http://www.ashland150.com/ is filled with information and events that will be going on this year to celebrate this momentous occasion. This will be an easy year for me as I’ll never have a lack of information to write about!

Although we certainly are special, our name is not unique! This Wednesday, January 16th, Betty Carol Stevenson will tell us about all the other Ashlands in the United States. How many Ashlands are there? Are they all named after Henry Clay’s hometown in Kentucky? Are any of them as cool as we are? Not likely. Come to the Ashland Library at 7:30 to find out the answers. Call the library at 798-4072 for more information.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday on Tuesday, January 15th, Mayor Douglas Wilder will speak at Randolph-Macon’s Blackwell Auditorium at 12 noon. This event is free and open to the public. There will also be a musical presentation by R-MC’s Yjima Gospel Choir. Come early to get a good seat- or any seat at all. Call 752-3712 for more information.

Registration is now open for the 30th running of the Ashland Railroad Run on March 15th, 2008. The day begins at 8:30 am for the Kid’s Mile Fun Run, followed by the 10K Run at 9:00 am and the 5K Fun Walk at 9:15. Why run packed like sardines on Monument Avenue when you have room to breathe on our fair streets? Go to http://www.hanoverarts.com/ for a registration form.

Are you a star waiting to be discovered? The deadline for registration to participate in the Hanover Idols Contest is next Friday- January 18th! Go to http://www.hanoverarts.com/ for guidelines and an entry form. Call the Center at 798-2728 with your questions.

As a part of the 150th celebration, an Ashland Yearbook will be assembled to tell the stories of our citizens, churches, businesses, cemeteries, military, and organizations. If you’re a “come-here”, have lived here all your life, or are reading this from far away, please tell your family’s story of living in Ashland in 300 words or less and include a picture. This will be a great historical document of the people living in our town. For years to come, scholars will refer to it in their research. Go to the website (http://www.ashland150.com/) or call 798-7123 with your questions.

There’s a new club in town for seniors- “Ashland Recycled Teenagers” who are proving that you don’t have to be young to have fun. Mark your calendars for the Omni Park Place Talent Show on February 1st at 11:30 am in the Social Hall at Duncan Memorial Church. Watch this space for more information to come.

Charles, have we found the time capsule yet? Send me your news by calling (804) 310-5320, or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can also find a record of all these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/.

1/4/08 Happy New Year, Can you say "Sesquicentenial"?

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday with lots of food, friends, and family. I am writing this on New Year's Eve where I have assembled all the ingredients to cook the traditional black-eyed peas and stewed tomatoes tomorrow, although I really can't stand either dish. But, I have an over-active imagination, and worry about the dire consequences that I might wreak on my family if I don't make them eat those lucky foods. My mother used to put a dime in the dish of peas and the person who got the dime on their plate would have extra luck in the new year. I'm sure that someone would choke on it at our house though, so we'll settle for just a little luck from eating a spoon or two.

Two thousand and eight will be a busy year around Ashland with the celebration of our town's 150th birthday. It's also the 150th birthday of First Baptist Church, and the 40th for the Hanover Arts and Activities Center. You can keep up on all the events by visiting the website: http://www.ashland150.com/. On Wednesday, January 16th at 7:00 pm., Betty Carol Stevenson will share stories, photos, and her research of all the towns with the name of "Ashland"in the U.S. I know of the one in Kentucky, and one in Oregon- isn't there one in Massachusetts? Refreshments will be served, and the event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Mark your calendars now for the St. Ann's Catholic Church Casino Night on Saturday, January 26th. Tickets are available tfrom parishioners and you can call the church office for more information: 798-5039.

There are two women's basketball games this coming week at R-MC: Tuesday, January 8th against Catholic University, and then Friday, the 11th against Guilford. Both games begin at 7 pm in Crenshaw Gym. This is some of the best best basketball around- and it's right in your backyard. These young women have won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Award for three straight years. I promise it'll be a great game.

The deadline to apply for the second annual Hanover Master Gardeners' Home Gardening Series has been extended to Friday, January 4, 2008. Interested persons can apply by calling 804-752-4310 or e-mailing pbland52@vt.edu. The eight-session series will be held on Saturdays from January 12 through March 1, 2008. Times will be from 9 to 11 am with the classes held in the Department of Social Services' meeting room in the Hanover Human Service Center on Washington Highway in Ashland. The classes will focus on topics of particular interest to the home gardener and will be taught by Hanover Master Gardeners.

There are still some 2008 Ashland calendars available at Town Hall for the affordable price of $10 each. These calendars are filled with wonderful pictures of our town and lots of helpful phone numbers. Stop by the Planning Office for your copy.

Does anyone know if snow is coming? We've all forgotten what it looks like and will have to travel north for this kids to go sleigh riding. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a nice snow storm- just enough to close schools but not pull down the power lines. Call or email me with your Ashland news: (804) 310-5320, or email ashlandnews@gmail.com. You can also find a record of all these columns at http://www.ashlandnews.blogspot.com/.